Agency :
Afghanistan U19s have made their maiden Youth Test memorable with a tight three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the one-off Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors were set a target of 110 runs, which they reached in 43.2 overs after bowling Bangladesh for 228 in their second innings on the fourth and final day.
Afghanistan’s start began with losing Suliman Safi to Ripon Mondol in the very first over. Safi’s opening partner Bilal Sayedi kept his cool in a small chase, constructing a 108-ball 54 with the help of 10 boundaries.
Sayedi became the sixth batter to fall, at the score of 108. Izharulhaq Naveed fell to Mushfik Hasan to set up an interesting finish. Kamran Hotak’s 70-ball stay, scoring unbeaten 20, got Afghanistan U19s to a historic win.
Bangladesh Under-19 weren’t in a bad position at 170 for four in their second innings at stumps on day three, leading by 51 runs. But Afghanistan made early inroads on day four as Izharulhaq Naveed got the better of a well-set Aich Mollah before Bangladesh added anything to the overnight score. Naveed was the wrecker-in-chief for the visitors. He picked up four of the six wickets Bangladesh lost on the final day of the match.
Bangladesh began the day with 170/4 and soon lost Aich Mollah for 40 in the second over of the day. Prantik Nawrose Nabil made an impressive 76 off 166 on day three. The hosts’ large deficit in the first innings meant they would set a target just over a hundred.
Earlier in the match, the Youth Tigers were skittled for 162 in the first innings courtesy of a Bilal Sami five-for. Bilal Sayedi’s defiant ton took Afghanistan to 281 to put their nose ahead.
With this match, the six-match tour comes to a conclusion. Bangladesh U19s had won the five-match ODI series 3-2, with Aich Mollah starring including a hundred.
